A message from Canterbury DHB Board Chair, Sir John Hansen
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CEO UPDATE
21 December 2020 | 21 Hakihea 2020
A message from Canterbury DHB
Board Chair, Sir John Hansen
Kia ora koutou
2020 has been a difficult year, particularly for those working in our health system. Despite
all the challenges you’ve faced, services have continued to be provided thanks to the
commitment of our DHB team of 11,000 people alongside our 8,000 colleagues working in
primary health care and the wider community.
I hope that those who are able to take a well-earned break over the festive season, and I
especially want to thank everyone who is working through.
With the planned roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations, including here in New Zealand next
year, I do hope that the toll COVID-19 is taking overseas is stopped in its tracks and we,
along with the rest of the world, can resume some of our pre-COVID-19 activities. In the
meantime, we can be grateful to live in New Zealand and in Canterbury. Thankfully, if you
do have time off, you don’t have to travel far to find amazing destinations, scenery and
activities to enjoy.
On behalf of the Board, I wish you all a safe and happy holiday with friends and whānau.
Ngā mihi nui
Sir John Hansen
Chair – Canterbury DHB
In this issue
› Regulars – Kōrero ai... pg 5-6 › Newborn hearing screening programme › Sharing is caring with shared care plans...
› It’s beginning to look a lot like... pg 8-9 celebrates 10 years... pg 12 pg 15
› Integration of care for sleep apnoea › Christmas comes early for the Radiation › One minute with… ... pg 21
patients... pg 10 Therapy Service... pg 13 › Notices – Pānui... pg 22-24
› Zero CLABSI rate celebrated by Neonatal › VOICES survey of bereaved people
Service... pg 11 released | Retirement of highly respected
nurse... pg 14
1
21 December 2020
Thank you
As this is my final CEO Update for 2020 – one of the most
extraordinary years for us all – I want to sincerely thank you for
everything you’ve done, and continue to do, to support and care
for the health and wellbeing of the 567,843 people in Canterbury
and the Chatham Islands.
Wherever you work and whatever your role, everyone has
played their part to keep providing quality care through
a tumultuous year and I want to acknowledge your
professionalism and care.
I know you had an extremely busy start to 2020, however,
that all paled into insignificance when COVID-19
entered our world. To say things ramped up would be an
understatement.
The entire country went into total lockdown at midnight on
25 March and our essential staff kept on doing the mahi
and hundreds of our health system staff went above and
beyond for weeks on end to protect our community.
I want to acknowledge the work and leadership of the
Executive Management Team – including those who have
left. I’d also like to commend everyone who has stepped up
to leadership roles this year.
A bright spot on the 2020 calendar was the much-awaited
move into Waipapa, our brand-new acute services
building on the Christchurch Hospital campus – a
massive undertaking involving hundreds of staff. It’s been
heartening to hear that feedback on the new facilities has
been extremely positive from patients, staff and visitors.
While we’re no longer in lockdown COVID-19 is very
much still with us. Our Emergency Response teams have
resurgence contingency plans in place, and we are ready
to respond rapidly in the event of a community outbreak.
We continue to identify and manage cases at the border,
and our managed isolation and quarantine facilities are
booked up and continuing to provide an excellent service
to hundreds of guests each week.
Their fantastic work means we’re free to travel throughout This summer will be our first under COVID-19 conditions. Click on the
New Zealand and enjoy our holidays. image above to find out how to look after yourself and your whānau
and friends over the festive season and summer holidays
To make summer unstoppable, please remember to keep
up with all the good hygiene habits, download and use the
COVID-19 tracer app if you haven’t already – and activate
Bluetooth to ensure you’ll receive alerts if you’ve been in
close contact with a case of COVID-19. Stay home if you’re
sick and get health advice if you have any symptoms of
COVID-19.
2
21 December 2020
If you are heading away during the holidays, remember to We are so lucky to be able to look forward to a typical Kiwi
make a plan about how you would manage if you had to Christmas when many people are having to stay at home
stay put wherever in New Zealand you may be. That might and an increasing number of health systems around the
mean having a back-up plan for your home or pets or being world are at breaking point due to COVID-19.
prepared to return home early. If we all play our part and
If you are working through the holidays, thank you.
stick to the rules, we can all enjoy a well-earned break.
Two new COVID-19 vaccines secured with enough for every
New Zealander
Late last week the government announced that new This will be New Zealand’s biggest ever vaccination
purchase agreements had been reached with two roll-out. At this stage the plan is for border workers and
additional pharmaceutical companies, meaning that there essential staff to be vaccinated first, in the second quarter
will be enough for every New Zealander to be immunised of 2021, with vaccinations available to the public during the
against COVID-19. In total, New Zealand has four pre- second half of the year.
purchase agreements secured to date. All vaccines will
We have a team working on how we will manage the
need to be proven safe and effective by New Zealand’s
logistics of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in our region.
pharmaceutical regulator, Medsafe.
Further details are available in the media release
announcing the two new vaccines being secured.
Accelerating our Future recap
› Providing retinal screening close to home for
Chatham Islanders rather than consumers travelling to
Christchurch.
› Reducing our recruitment advertising spend.
› Identifying and reducing wastage in single use products
such as the disposable bed pads initiative at Burwood
Hospital.
I want to thank everyone for their support of and There remains much more work to do. We have made a
participation in Accelerating our Future, the work start to our savings programme and things will ramp up in
programme based on our draft 2020/21 annual plan 2021 to accelerate progress.
to operate in a more financially sustainable way. The I wish you all health and happiness and hope you find
programme supports and boosts ongoing and new time to do things that make you happy, with people whose
initiatives and I’ve been impressed at the range of company you enjoy.
innovation. Examples include:
Remember those who might be alone this year, or missing
› Smarter procurement of medical devices and supplies loved ones. If you need some tips to survive the festive
using the validation tool, ECRI, to make evidence-based season, check out AllRight’s top tips to get through. The
decisions on what medical treatments and products text or call 1737 counselling service is available throughout
we use. the holiday period 24/7 for free confidential counselling.
3
21 December 2020
To those of you working throughout the holidays, a very special thanks. We hope that our ‘front door’ services such as
Urgent Care in the community and the Emergency Department see some easing in demand, but at this time of year, there
are no guarantees. Your skill and dedication is appreciated – as is the work of everyone turning up to work to provide
treatment and care every minute of every day at all of our hospitals, health centres, pharmacies and in-home care.
If you or one of your whānau or visitors needs health advice over the holidays remember you can always call your own
general practice team for free health advice 24/7.
Thank you again for making me feel so welcome, and for your continued professionalism.
Meri Kirihimete me ngā mihi o te tau hou
Andrew Brant, Acting CEO
Canterbury District Health Board
If you have a story idea or want to provide feedback on CEO Update we would love to hear from you! Please email us at
communications@cdhb.health.nz. Please note the deadline for story submissions is midday Thursday.
If you’re not a staff member and you want to subscribe to receive this newsletter every week please subscribe here.
4
regulars – ko–rero ai 21 December 2020
Bouquets
Emergency Department (ED), Christchurch Hospital team for the way they meticulously went about their work
I was a patient in ED under the wonderful care of Nurse on my behalf. And would you also convey my personal
Megan and Dr Stuart for a chronic condition that had flared thanks to Nurses Taylor, Paula and Linda in the AAU and
up. The team provided care over and above anything I have Nurses Viola, Beth and student Clare in Ward 23 for the
experienced before, including Stuart going off to fetch a special care and attention they all gave me during my stay.
tablet for me himself because Megan was busy with other I will always remember them. I am genuinely grateful for
patients. That blew me away and made me appreciate the care and compassion I received from all of those who
how awesome a team you have in ED. Every member of looked after me and consider myself richly blessed for
the wider team was kind, polite and at every stage gave having had this experience. May I take this opportunity of
me choices for my care which really helped me to feel wishing you, and indeed the entire staff of Christchurch
confident in my health. Thank you, thank you, thank you for Hospital a very Happy Christmas and a healthy prosperous
your amazing care. If Megan and Stuart are a reflection of New Year. Once again, thank you for taking good care of me.
the wider team, then Christchurch is lucky to have such an
amazing emergency care service. Surgery, Christchurch Hospital
Had a quick and satisfactory appointment with the surgeon
ED, Acute Assessment Unit (AAU) and Ward 23, who had operated on my knee. All well and I am very happy
Christchurch Hospital with the result. Thank you.
This was the first time in my 77 years that I’d suffered
a medical emergency, and the first time I’d ever been ED, Christchurch Hospital
admitted to a hospital, or even been a patient in an I visited the ED on Sunday evening and I was taken care
ambulance. So, as you can imagine, it was a whole new of by the most amazing nurses and doctor. Thank you to a
experience for me…I have to say that being admitted to great team. You are all wonderful and do an amazing job.
Christchurch Hospital was one of the most encouraging Keep up the great work.
experiences I’ve ever had. The staff, from the ED, to the
Big Shout Out
Acute Assessment Ward, and finally to Ward 23, were
absolutely wonderful, and a sheer delight to work with
as they endeavoured not only to diagnose my condition
but to treat it appropriately and to monitor my wellbeing. Smokefree Team, Christchurch Hospital
They all demonstrated compassion, dedication, efficiency From a staff member (registered nurse), who
and professionalism, and it left me with considerable appreciates the peace and fresh air during lunch
confidence in our hospital system and a sense of pride in breaks, thank you for the new ‘No Smoking/
our hospital staff, regardless of their particular vocation. Vaping’ signs at the Nurses’ Memorial Chapel
Would you be kind enough to convey my personal thanks garden. Keep up the good work Smokefree Team.
to Dr Avinesh and her team, and to Dr Reshma and her
#carestartshere
5
21 December 2020
ED, Dental team and Intensive Care Unit, Christchurch
Big Shout Out Hospital
I am sending Christmas wishes to the wonderful team at
To: General Medical Consultant, Christchurch Christchurch Hospital who looked after me one year ago.
Hospital First was the Dental Team at ED. Their kindness and speed
To the kind, generous General Medicine at getting me help is something I will always appreciate.
consultant (you know who you are). Thank you Afterwards in ICU I was cared for by kind nurses and
for all the chocolates and goodies that you so checked on by kind doctors. Merry Christmas to all those
often bring to so many of the staff around the beautiful people who held my hand and said it was going
hospital. It is much appreciated. You will be to be ok – it was! I hope they all have a beautiful Christmas
rewarded in heaven! with their families and friends and wishing them all health
and happiness for what we all hope is a much better year.
#carestartshere
Orthopaedic surgery, Burwood Hospital Big Shout Out
I had my left knee operation in November. Staff were first
Thank you to all who joined in and attended
class. I could have stayed longer. It was just like a hotel.
the Christmas Carol Service
Thank you once again.
A wonderful time was had by all at the Christmas
Ward 27 and Nigel, WellFood, Christchurch Hospital Carol Service held last week in the garden of the
I would like to say thanks to all from Ward 27, but special Nurses’ Memorial Chapel.
thanks to Bri and Wendy, two wonderful nurses who looked Many attended and enjoyed the atmosphere over
after my dad when he came into hospital last week. Despite their lunch breaks, while passers-by paused to
being ill he didn’t lose his cheekiness and dry sense of enjoy the music drifting through the air.
humour, which they were well able to keep up with. I would Meri Kirihimete!
also like to thank Nigel who delivered the food and cuppas
From: Christchurch Hospital Chaplain Sheila
to him. Thanks again. Mark
#carestartshere
Big Shout Out
To: Registered nurses, Koko and Bev, always sign for the blue bags when you meet them
Christchurch Hospital on the ward, and that is really appreciated too. So
this is just a big thank you from the Safe pharmacy
In the spirit of bringing festiveness and joy and just a
technicians and pharmacy assistants for every way
smile to people’s faces at this time of year, we would
that you make our jobs easier so that we can get you
like to send out a thank you to these two registered
and your colleagues the medicine to make your job
nurses (RNs) who make our days better even though
easier.
our paths never actually cross in our respective jobs:
To Koko from Ward A4, thank you so much for the To Bev from Ward A3 PCU, thank you so much
orders that you write to the Safe for your controlled for the clear orders that you send to the Safe for
and recorded drugs. They are always easy to read, controlled and recorded drugs. It shows forethought
and we cannot recall a time when you have not and planning. We always look forward to processing
remembered to sign the order. When you made the your orders and they bring a smile to our faces.
big move to Waipapa you were using the correct Thanks for everything that you do.
ordering form straight away, (we really appreciated
From: Bron Baiteary and Anna Parker,
that) and when you come down to the pharmacy to
Christchurch Pharmacy Safe “elves” (Pharmacy
drop off ‘returns’ to the Safe, the paperwork is always Technicians)
in order. The pharmacy assistants say that you
#carestartshere
6
21 December 2020
MIGRATING TO
CHRISTCHURCH
HOSPITAL HAGLEY
Defects and changes
Defects will continue to be reviewed and actioned as required over the holiday period so please continue to follow the set
process for these. Any urgent defects that are likely to affect your ability to care for or accept patients should be reported
to the Nurse Manager, Charge Nurse Manager or Line Manager immediately for an urgent Maintenance and Engineering
make-good. Any non-urgent defects should be reported via the Defect Reporting Process. It is essential this process is
followed so defects can be logged and traced.
Change requests should still be logged as per the usual process but these will likely be reviewed in the new year. Any
urgent change requests in the interim should be referred to Director of Nursing Lynne Johnson for immediate review.
Ward A8
While most of us will be tucking into Christmas fare and having some well-earned downtime over December, spare a
thought for Charge Nurse Manager Cindy Gibb and her team as they prepare to move to Ward A8 in January 2021. This
ward will be a combined vascular and acute stroke ward with inpatients coming from Ward 10 in Parkside and Ward 24 in
Riverside. A8 is expected to open with 24 beds.
Staff will be setting up in the new ward from 11 January, and patient migration will occur on 20 January 2021. Further
communication for staff and patients will be forthcoming in the new year.
And to all a good night
It has been quite the year, there’s no arguing that point.
And there’s no arguing that while there have been a few
downs, there have been plenty of ups – and through it all,
we have had our colleagues and our co-workers alongside
for the rollercoaster ride.
We’d like to take the opportunity to offer a heartfelt thanks
to everyone involved in migrating to Waipapa this year,
and those who have had input over the last 10 years. There
are far too many to name, and work has come from every
quarter and every corner of our health system.
And so to everyone who played a part in the design,
development, construction, stocking, cleaning, orientation,
fitting out, supplying and working toward Waipapa... thank
you. We literally couldn’t have done it without you, and you
should be proud of yourself.
The fun isn’t over, with plenty of work still continuing. But
for a moment, stop, take a deep breath, pat yourself on the
back, and know that what you’ve done matters.
Ka pai, and Meri Kirihimete from our whānau to yours.
7
our stories – a– ta–tou ko–rero 21 December 2020
It’s beginning to
look a lot like…
Cate, Mena and Sui from the
Diabetes and Endocrinology
teams People and Capability Christmas
elves delivering festive treats
Home Dialysis
Decorations from
Training Centre
The Christchurch Campus Christmas Tree on the
ention and Quality and Patient Safety noticeboards features just
The Infection Prev
ol tea m has go ne all out to some of the many words of thanks and appreciation
Contr
ac e festive services have received from patients and families
make their sp
during 2020. These heartfelt words speak for
themselves.
who
For patients in Ward B1 at Burwood Hospital
are unabl e to return home at Christmas time,
ised
Occupational Therapist Nikayla Bolch organ
to create their own trees as part of rehab
for them
therapy!
Merry Christmas from the Decorations from Ho
me Dialysis
Christchurch Hospital Speech Training Centre
Language Therapy team
8
21 December 2020
Mailroom Supervisor Raji Shamy’s festive mailroom looks like Santa’s grotto
The Safety and Quality Women's and Children's
team's Christmas grotto Last week's Christmas Carol Service was a great hit with participants and passers-by!
tment at Christchurch
Merry Christmas from the Physiotherapy Depar The Managed Isolation and Quarantine team
working at the
Hospital Distinction Hotel took a moment to share some
festive cheer
Check out the results of a competition held by the Infection Prevention
and Control Service
Their ‘Decorate your Pod’ Christmas competition inspired a great team effort, with Infection Prevention and Control
Nursing Director Sarah Berger donating gifts for the top three prizes and Medical Officer of Health Ramon Pink acting
as the VIP judge. The winners were:
1st Place: Personal Assistant 2nd Place: Clinical Nurse Specialist 3rd Place: Clinical Nurse Specialist
Tracy Meekin Julianne Munro Sacha McMillan
9
21 December 2020
Integration of care
for sleep apnoea
patients
People on long-term hospital-funded treatment for
obstructive sleep apnoea are being supported in the
community, saving valuable patient time and preventing
unnecessary waits to see a sleep specialist at Christchurch
Hospital.
“These folks are our well-established patients who are
clinically well, have qualified for continuous positive airway
pressure (CPAP) therapy, are using them well, and are good
self-managers,” says Nurse Practitioner Sally Powell, who
implemented the initiative.
The other 20 percent, who are considered medically
“Rather than have these people on an annual review complex, will continue to be reviewed annually by the Sleep
list, waiting for an appointment and for reports, we have Clinic.
upgraded their equipment to access their data via the
“This important initiative highlights the contribution and
cloud and off they go, with support from their GP and the
value of having a nurse practitioner within the service. Sally
community CPAP program.”
and our admin team of Bridget and Linda are doing a stellar
Many have commented they like not having to come into job and we are ahead of schedule in discharging patients
the hospital to see someone to tell them they are doing into the community, with 402 people so far and another 70
well, she says. to review.”
“They’re taking responsibility for their health and as one All discharged patients have been briefed on the changes
GP commented, he likes that the patient has control in the and provided with a comprehensive discharge package.
way that they can monitor their own results and instigate a These patients have a good record of adherence and
medical review in a timely manner,” Sally says. treatment efficacy and are deemed good self-managers.
A CPAP device uses a hose and mask to deliver constant “They know that if they are having problems with their
and steady positive air pressure, helping the wearer therapy to see their GP and we can welcome them back
breathe more easily during sleep by increasing air pressure into the hospital service for a review,” he says.
in the throat so that the airway doesn’t collapse when they
They have the community provider USL Medical to give
breathe in.
them support, or if they have a clinical concern, their GP
The group of sleep outpatients discharged into the can review and refer as appropriate.
community CPAP programme represents 80 per cent of
this group, says Sleep Health Services Clinical Manager
Paul Kelly.
1021 December 2020
Zero CLABSI rate celebrated by
Neonatal Service
The Neonatal Service is celebrating after achieving 365
days with no Central Line Associated Blood Stream
Infections (CLABSI).
A CLABSI is a serious infection that occurs when bacteria
or viruses enter the bloodstream through a central line
placed in a large vein.
The Neonatal Service embarked on a journey to zero
CLABSIs in 2014 by establishing a bundle of quality
improvement practices, policies and procedures to prevent
infection in our already immunocompromised population,
says Neonatal Nurse Educator Edna Byron.
“These included focusing on the Five Moments of
Hand Hygiene; sterile access and line change practice;
documentation; education and procedure document
review, to name a few.”
All medical and nursing staff who cared for babies who
required a variety of central lines, were educated to follow
correct procedure and practices to prevent blood borne
infections from occurring.
From left, Neonatal Service Clinical Director Nicola Austin and
“There have been a few hiccups along the way, such as, Registered Nurse Carole Muir cutting the cake to celebrate
our previous best was 246 days at zero rate. The average
number of lines per year for the service is 170, but this year
to date there have been 180 inserted and cared for.
“That’s why we are particularly proud of our achievement
and decided to celebrate. We hope to make this an annual
event,” Edna says.
1121 December 2020
Newborn hearing screening
programme celebrates 10 years
The Universal Newborn Hearing
Screening and Early Intervention
Programme (UNHSEIP) recently
celebrated its 10 year anniversary.
The programme was announced by
government in 2006, implementation
began in 2007, and full national
rollout was completed in August 2010.
Around 95 percent of families now
have newborn hearing screening
testing for their babies.
Manager Antenatal and Newborn
Screening Jasmine Plimmer says it’s a
milestone truly worth celebrating, as
the programme has changed the lives
of many children and their families
and whānau.
An official event to commemorate 10 Newborn baby having her hearing tested
years of newborn hearing screening
was postponed as a result of “Thanks to the amazing team of there has been a significant shift in
COVID-19, however, the National hearing screeners as they work the age at which a hearing loss is
Screening Unit (NSU) is exploring alongside every new family. identified, with more babies having
opportunities to celebrate this Congratulations for this wonderful their hearing loss identified before
achievement in 2021. milestone.” they are one year of age, Jasmine
Canterbury DHB Newborn Hearing says.
Each year, it’s estimated that between
Screening Programme Coordinator 135 and 170 babies are born in “In 2010, the average age that hearing
Angela Deken says the programme New Zealand with mild to profound loss was identified was 14 months;
has embedded to become a normal permanent congenital hearing loss. compared with five months in 2018.”
part of postnatal care with the goal of Identifying hearing loss early means
NSU Clinical Director Jane O’Hallahan
identifying babies with a hearing loss. children can get the interventions
says the fact that newborn hearing
“In Canterbury, 195 babies have they need as soon as possible, to help
screeners are now the first group
their language, learning and social
been diagnosed with a moderate to to suspect a hearing loss shows
development.
profound hearing loss over this time the success of a national organised
which means the age of diagnosis Data reported in the Deafness screening programme in identifying
has significantly reduced and early Notification Database indicates that, hearing loss in babies.
intervention is possible. since the start of the programme,
1221 December 2020
Christmas comes early for the
Radiation Therapy Service
Written by Clinical Manager Radiation Therapy Phil Daly
In the early hours of a Saturday
morning in October three big trucks
arrived at Christchurch Hospital
carrying large boxes and crates.
All needed to be unwrapped and
placed inside the linear accelerator
bunker in Radiation Oncology to
be assembled over the next month
by a special Engineer “elf” flown in
from Australia, having completed his
managed isolation in Auckland.
Several staff and contractors worked
hard over the day and into the evening, The linear accelerator being installed
unloading the trucks and unpacking so
that nobody would ever know they had Clinical Manager Radiation
been there. Therapy Phil Daly,
With some parts weighing several Funding has largely come
tonnes it was no easy feat to squeeze from the $25 million pool
through the door openings, corridors of money announced by
and around the tight corners into the government last year
the bunker in Radiation Oncology. for replacement linacs
The Maintenance and Engineering around the country. With
Chief “Elf” Project Manager Shane the procurement process
Thomas had his band of merry elves beginning back in July 2019,
well trained and all fingers, walls and this project has involved a
flooring escaped unharmed. wide range of teams across Oncology
to shift work and extended the patient
Now that the special delivery is and Canterbury DHB, in particular
treatment hours out to 8.30pm to
complete, over the next eight weeks the teams from Procurement and
maintain the treatment capacity while
the Radiation Oncology medical Maintenance and Engineering.
operating only three linacs instead of
physicists will be commissioning the The installation and commissioning four.
new linear accelerator so that it will be of two new replacement linear
ready for clinical use in February 2021. This ensures no patients have their
accelerators requires substantial
treatment compromised or delayed
The team will then do it all again to planning and resource, while
by the ongoing construction and
replace the fourth linear accelerator continuing business as usual. The
commissioning work. The highly
so that the total fleet of radiation added challenge has been working
professional team are working hard to
treatment machines are all matched through the exemption process to get
continue providing a safe and excellent
with the latest technology, enabling the installation engineer from Australia
service.
improved efficiencies in patient flow into the country.
and scheduling by June 2021. A big thanks to the Infection
This $7.6 million replacement project is Prevention and Control team who
being managed internally by Physics have consulted on this process. From
Team Leader Andrew Cousins and September 2020 through until the end
of June 2021 the team have committed
1321 December 2020
VOICES survey of bereaved people
released
The South Island Alliance Palliative Care Workstream The VOICES questionnaire collects detailed information
(PCW) is pleased to release the results of its first South about the circumstances of the last three months, and the
Island VOICES (Views of Informal Carers Evaluation of last two days of life, focusing on the nature and perceived
Services) pilot survey of bereaved people. quality of health and social care services provided. It has
been shown to be acceptable to bereaved people, without
Over 500 people from around the South Island gave their
causing them undue distress or harm.
views on the quality of care provided by health services
in the last three months, and the last two days, of their The results provide reassurance that most of the
partner, relative or friend’s life. important tasks in caring for the dying are being provided
appropriately by health services in the South Island of NZ.
This is the first time a regional survey of bereaved people
has been undertaken in the South Island. The results give Special thanks go to those who participated in the
a snapshot of peoples’ experiences and perceptions and survey, and to University of Canterbury’s Palliative Care
will help a wide range of health services to review and plan Programme Coordinator Kate Reid and the University of
care for people facing end-of-life illness. Canterbury for undertaking this important survey.
The original VOICES survey was commissioned by the Copies of the South Island VOICES Statistical Bulletin and
Department of Health in the United Kingdom as part of a the supporting dataset are now available for download from
commitment made in the End-of-life Care Strategy (2008) the South Island Alliance website here.
to survey bereaved partners, relatives or friends about their
perception of care provided at the end-of-life.
Retirement of highly respected nurse
A lifetime of dedicated nursing has
come to an end for Lorna Leonard
who retired recently.
Lorna began nursing 36 years ago.
After sitting her final nursing exams,
she went straight into an operating
theatre role. She took time off
between 1975 and 1984 to have her
three children before returning as staff
nurse in theatre.
In 2001, Lorna became Charge Nurse
Manager in Urology, then Clinical
Nurse Specialist in 2008.
Clinical Director of Urology Giovanni
Losco says Lorna was a dedicated
and well-respected leader of the Lorna Leonard at work in Theatre Lorna Leonard at her retirement farewell
Urology Theatre team.
“She had such a vast and extensive knowledge of all things urological and an innate sense of theatre nursing – something
she lived and breathed. Her no-fuss, can-do attitude was truly valued by all members of our team.”
1421 December 2020
Sharing is caring with shared care
plans
As things ramp up for the silly season and many of us plan
a well-deserved break, our colleagues working in urgent
care are preparing ways to make the festive period simpler
and safer for staff, patients and their whānau.
One tool they can leverage is the suite of electronic shared
care plans – The Acute Plan and the Personalised Care
Plan (PCP) – a place for clinicians from a number of health
services to share important information that can improve
patient care.
That’s the case for Keziah Jones, a nurse coordinator in
the Emergency Department (ED), who spends a day a
week focusing on creating shared care plans for regular
attendees to ED.
“When a patient comes in, the doctor will look to see
if there is an Acute Plan in place and will look at it in
Emergency Department (ED) Nurse Coordinator Keziah Jones and
preparation for treating that patient,” says Keziah. Consultant Emergency Physician Scott Pearson
“Often, we don’t have a holistic view of the patient, so
the general practice team input is great, as it gives us “I think patients genuinely have a positive outcome from
background from a different perspective, so we can tailor using these plans. It speeds up the process, so they get
our approach. cared for quickly and if they’re likely to get admitted, that
“With medical presentations, we can make them nice and process is faster.
streamlined. There might be medications that aren’t that “It’s also really helpful in a busy emergency department to
effective, or investigations that have already been carried have guidelines for treating patients with more complex
out, so we can skip those and try other things.” conditions. When everyone owns the document, clinicians
The plans, accessed via Health Connect South, empower are empowered to make updates and changes in real
patients to work with care teams to coordinate care around time – the collaborative nature of the plans means that no
their needs and priorities. information is outdated,” adds Keziah.
The Acute Plan provides information which is intended to Currently 5,388 patients in Canterbury have an Acute
support decision making regarding the need for admission, Plan and this number continues to rise as more health
investigation and appropriate setting for acute care. The professionals get involved in proactively planning the care
Personalised Care Plan aims to support patients to work of vulnerable patients and making this information available
with care teams to coordinate care around their needs to clinicians across the system.
and priorities, and to make the goals and activities visible For more information about the plans download the patient
to other clinical teams. This plan is for patients who have leaflet; visit the Shared Care Planning page on the CCN
moderate to high complexity health needs. website or read more on HealthPathways.
For patients who regularly attend ED, Keziah can document
information that’s useful for clinicians to aid decision
making around future treatment in the Acute Plan.
1521 December 2020
Over four decades of service recognised
After 45 years of service, Specialist Mental Health Services
wished Stu Bigwood farewell.
Stu started in 1975 as a trainee at Sunnyside Hospital.
Since then he has filled many nursing roles in mental
health and was instrumental in setting up the forerunners
of community teams and the movement of mental health
consumers to lead their lives in the community.
Stu’s leadership role was recognised when he was
appointed as the Director of Nursing from 2007 to 2018.
He took on a number of challenges and always stood firm
for what is right, embedding a strong value set within
Canterbury Mental Health Services.
Professional support, collegiality and friendship were
hallmarks of Stu’s time with us.
The ‘lifetime’ of service in mental health was recognised in
November by many of his colleagues both from Canterbury
and nationally. Three directors of nursing and the Ministry
of Health’s Acting Deputy Director General, Mental Health
and Addiction, Toni Gutschlag attended Stu’s poroporoaki,
along with his family.
Stu’s knowledge and skills are not being lost to Health as
he is working with Ministry of Health on key projects. Stu Bigwood at his farewell, with his favourite food
Milestone reached for the new Selwyn
Health Hub
Progress on the Selwyn Health Hub in Rolleston continues,
and the building is now watertight, allowing for the next
stage of its development to proceed.
The new integrated health and social services hub is on
Norman Kirk Drive in Rolleston and will include a birthing
unit, community dental service, radiology and other
community health and social services.
The Selwyn Health Hub forms part of the Rolleston Town
Centre Master Plan and is consistent with the strategic
direction for the provision of health services for the district Work on the development of Selwyn Health Hub continues, with the
building now watertight
which aims to provide services close to home.
The hub will enable an appropriate range of district wide Rolleston is in the most densely populated and fastest
high quality, sustainable services to be delivered at the growing settlement in the Selwyn District and with
heart of Selwyn’s densest population base, from a purpose- a demographic that makes it the best location for
built facility in a highly accessible location, next door to community-based birthing and other health facilities.
the local St John Ambulance centre and close to the new The Site Redevelopment Unit is expecting to have the Selwyn
Christchurch Southern Motorway. Health Hub completed in the third quarter of next year.
1621 December 2020
Generous
donation for
children in hospital
The legacy of Christchurch girl Brydie Lauder continues
to live on in yet another generous donation from the trust
formed in her name.
The Brydie Lauder Charitable Trust has donated $1000
From left, Brydie’s Aunt, and Registered Nurse in ED Lisa Geddes, ED
to purchase items to make hospital visits less scary for
Nurse Practitioner Morag Lawson and Brydie’s mother, Anna Evans
children.
“We plan to buy sterilisable distraction toys, colouring-
in packs, play dough and bubbles, some will go in the
treatment room in ED and some kept in a box in ED to
give to children to play with while they’re waiting,” says ED
Nurse Practitioner Morag Lawson.
“In an attempt to take the sterility out of the ED treatment
room and therefore make it less scary and intimidating for
children, we also have put some pictures and fairy lights
up.”
Brydie passed away from epilepsy and her registered
charitable trust supports Paediatric Neurology and families
and children who live with a neurological disorder.
Her mother Anna Evans says Brydie had to have hundreds
of tests and procedures over her four years.
“I really understand how important it is to have items to
entertain and distract children while these are being done.”
The staff in ED do an amazing job and the trust is proud to
be able to finance children-orientated diversions to make
the visit to ED less scary for children and their parents.
“Brydie was an amazing young girl and everyone involved
in her care made her hospital journey almost a second
home and not frightening, so it is very fitting that in her
name Brydie will be supporting lots of other children to feel
the same,” Anna says.
ED Nurse Practitioner Morag Lawson says a working group will
be formed to help come up with the most appropriate toys. Brydie Lawson
“This donation is incredibly generous. The trust does a
A television and DVD and framed artworks that had
lot of amazing work for children living with neurological
previously been donated to the children’s ward in memory
conditions and they are now helping us provide a fun, safe
of Brydie will also go into the treatment room.
space for children. I am incredibly grateful to Anna, her
family and the trust, as I am sure the staff in ED and the
child patients who attend will be as well.”
1721 December 2020
Large donation of
Christmas presents
for at-risk children
Children from at-risk families will be excitedly opening
Christmas gifts thanks to the generosity of Christchurch
Campus staff.
Last year the Vascular Department, located on the first
floor of Christchurch Outpatients, started an initiative to
collect donations of gifts for the children at Cholmondeley
Children’s Centre.
“It was very well supported by the other departments
on our floor, and the many gifts collected were gratefully
received and taken to the Cholmondeley children in time
for Christmas”, says Medical Secretary Vascular Medical /
Surgical Noelene Mudgway.
The effort was repeated this year, with the help of
Endocrinology, and front-of-house staff on the first floor of
Outpatients.
“This time we supported the Family Help Trust which
supports at risk families in stopping the cycle of
dysfunction and abuse. In view of last year’s great
response, we extended the invitation to participate to all
staff in the Outpatients building.
“We had a great response considering the short notice
given and we would like to thank all of those who gave,
including the Dialysis Service, who found out about it but Family Help Trust Manager Bill Pringle with a few of the donated
aren’t located in Outpatients, for their wonderful generosity. Christmas presents
The trust was delighted,” she says.
Some of the presents donated by staff
1821 December 2020
Reflections on history of Ward 24
Many areas at Christchurch Hospital have embraced
change recently and Ward 24 is no exception.
Early in January 2021 the ward team will divide, with
stroke patients and associated staff moving to Ward A8 in
Waipapa and the General Medicine patients remaining in
Ward 24 in the Riverside building, says Ward 24 Charge
Nurse Manager Margaret Griffiths.
“From humble beginnings, stroke patient management was
set up in Ward 31, previously known as the ‘winter ward’.
It was called that because every winter General Medicine
patient numbers were noted to be high, so a ward (Ward
31) was opened up temporarily to accommodate patient
flow.”
“Ward 31 transferred to The Princess Margaret Hospital
following the February earthquakes before being dis-
established and then merged with General Medicine Merry Christmas from Ward 24 staff
back at Christchurch Hospital campus where it is now
acknowledged as a leading light in stroke patient cares The calibre of the multi-disciplinary teams within these
within New Zealand.” services will ensure a smooth transition for all areas
involved.
The current Ward 24 was formed when Ward 31 was dis-
established, and the stroke component merged. “In Ward 24 we have always been very proud of what we
have achieved, and now look to the future, rebuilding our
“Coming together with uniquely talented individuals has teams, embracing the new challenges and flourishing in
built a strong team with excellent patient care at the heart new settings. Merry Christmas to you all,” Margaret says.
of all we do,” she says.
With the completion of Waipapa there has been an
opportunity for a new ward known as A8 to be created, this
will merge the Stroke and Vascular inpatient services. Ward
24 will remain as a General Medicine ward in its current
location in the Riverside building.
1921 December 2020
One Mother to Another donation
There were so many boxes, it took a cot to transport them The notes and crocheted angels were made and written by
from the carpark into the new Children’s Acute Assessment volunteers.
Unit (CAAU) this week ready to bless stressed and sleep
The charity has also made 250 special ‘thank you’ treats for
deprived parents this Christmas.
the nursing teams in both CAAU and NICU to acknowledge
The boxes contained more than 200 giftbags, made by the wonderful job they do throughout the year, Joy says.
Christchurch-based charity, One Mother to Another for the
parents and caregivers of children who find themselves
unexpectedly in hospital this festive season.
The charity provides 170 gift bags a month for mums and
carers in Christchurch Hospital’s CAAU, and Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit (NICU), as well as the neonatal units
in Invercargill and Nelson. The charity recognises the
extra strain being in hospital with a sick child can place on
parents and caregivers at Christmas time.
As a result, they’ve made extra gift bags for the CAAU
which will be given to every parent whose child is in the
unit over the Christmas/New Year holiday season. They’ve
also made 50 special gifts for the mums whose babies are
in NICU on Christmas morning.
“I know from personal experience how vulnerable you feel
as a parent being with your child in these units. I can’t
imagine how much more difficult it would be at Christmas,”
says One Mother to Another Head Joy Reid.
“We don’t want any mother, father or caregiver to feel
alone or isolated during this time, and we hope our gift bag From left, CAAU Charge Nurse Manager Warren Nairn and Joy Reid's
provides encouragement and support.” in-laws Rob and Fiona Reid help unload the gift boxes
The CAAU gift bags contains special
treats including skincare products,
coffee, tea, a voucher, a hand-made
Christmas decoration and a hand-
written note of encouragement.
The NICU presents include a
cookbook and a teddybear, as well
as a Christmas decoration and a
hand-written note of encouragement.
The products have been generously
donated by local businesses including
Linden Leaves, Xtend-life Natural
Products, Nescafe, Dilmah, Westfield
Riccarton and Whitcoulls.
2021 December 2020
One minute with… Mitchell Jordan,
Smokefree Health Promoter
What does your job involve?
Establishing supportive smokefree environments that
result in action and facilitating access to stop smoking
support throughout Canterbury. This two-pronged
approach means people work live and play in environments
that are supportive to their health and encourage a
smokefree lifestyle promoting smokefree as the social
norm. This could include supporting an organisation to
extend or implement a smokefree policy, supporting/
encouraging the Christchurch City Council to extend their
smokefree environments policy, and making submissions
to parliament (smokefree cars, vaping). Also, the provision
of support where appropriate and possible for people
struggling with a smoking addiction i.e. a workplace with a
smokefree policy having pathways in place to access free
stop smoking support. I also am trained as a Stop Smoking
Practitioner and see clients. Who inspires you?
I am also currently working on the COVID-19 response The people I work with, they are the ones who help excite
team. I have found it fascinating, for lack of better me to do the work.
description, learning all about the COVID-19 virus and
What do Canterbury DHB’s values (Care and respect
the systems and processes involved in New Zealand’s
for others, Integrity in all we do and Responsibility for
response. As a case investigator, I contact and interview
outcomes) mean to you in your role?
people with COVID-19 to find out where it may have come
from and who they could give it to. Being kind to those I work with, and for, commitment to our
goal of Smokefree 2025 and rising to challenges.
Why did you choose to work in this field?
Something you won’t find on my LinkedIn profile is…
My studies in physical activity and health promotion
sparked a keen interest in looking at health from a I don’t have LinkedIn.
population or community level and what things can be If I could be anywhere in the world right now it would
done at a higher level to encourage better health outcomes. be…
What do you like about it? New Zealand!
Working as a collective supporting the Smokefree 2025 What do you do on a typical Sunday?
kaupapa means meeting and working with a lot of different
Take my horse Max out on an adventure.
expertise and learning a lot along the way. This role also
highlights the various actions that contribute to a declining What’s your favourite food?
smoking population and what it takes to address complex Nachos.
public health issues.
And your favourite music?
What are the challenging bits?
All of it, old and new.
Slow change and differing views within the tobacco control
sector.
If you would like to take part in the column or would like to nominate someone please contact Naomi.Gilling@cdhb.health.nz.
21notices – pa–nui 21 December 2020
2221 December 2020
Latest Community Health Information
Centre newsletter out now
The Community Health Information Centre (CHIC) provides free health
resources to any person or organisation in Canterbury, South Canterbury, West
Coast and Chatham Islands. Collecting Memories
Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu
The resources are developed by Community and Public Health staff, and other
health agencies. So often it’s the simple things that bring us fun
and aroha. Which of these activities can you try
with the whānau? Tick them off as you go, and
enjoy making some new memories together.
The December 2020 edition of CHIC’s newsletter is out now and highlights For more ideas, head to allright.org.nz/simplethings
new and revised free resources available from your local CHIC office, as well as Share kai Go for a hīkoi/wander
recently deleted resources.
This month’s featured resource is: Head to the water
Play a game, like kōhatu
Read a new book
Have a picnic
› Collecting memories (MNH0259) – A4 card
Learn a new song Spot five different
For more information about CHIC and to order resources online visit the
or waiata manu/birds
Play a game outdoors Spend time barefoot
Community and Public Health website.
Get arty! Create a cosy space
CHIC office hours over the festive season
Visit a river, beach, Watch the sky change
tree or hill
Please note the CHIC office is now closed and will reopen on Monday 18
January 2021. Any orders for print resources will be processed in the new Share some aroha Connect with whānau
year, however, you can continue to download online resources as usual.
News from the
Canterbury Clinical
Network
The final edition for 2020 of the Canterbury Clinical The key messages from the most recent Canterbury
Network (CCN) news is available now. Clinical Network (CCN) Alliance Leadership Team meeting
are also out now.
Read about the Phillipstown Better Breathing Coffee
Group who gather at the local community hub on Monday The meeting covered the following topics:
mornings for laughter, kōrero, and exercise; how kai, kōrero
› Canterbury DHB Pacific Health Strategy
and companionship is proving a winning combination
for kaumātua (elders) through the Kahukura Kaumātua › Diabetes review
Programme, and much more here. › CCN 2020/21 quarter one report.
Read more here.
To view previous key messages, check out the resources
page of the CCN website.
2321 December 2020
CANTERBURY DHB 2021
Māori
& Pasifika
Scholarship
Māori and Pasifika Scholarships is a small contribution to Christchurch-based tertiary institution
students who are studying a health-related NZQA accredited course and have whakapapa with
Māori communities and/or cultural links with Pasifika communities, and is also planning to work
in the Canterbury district.
• Applications close Friday 26 March 2021, 5pm
• Online applications to be forwarded to:
manawhenuakiwaitaha.kaiawhina@gmail.com
For more information please visit:
www.cdhb.health.nz/about-us/health-system-alliances/manawhenua-ki-waitaha/
If you wish to talk to someone please contact Ruth on 027 443 4532
24You can also read
